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9 - 15 Mar - Learn With Joy and Not With Sorrow - Jacob 1 - 4

Jacob 1 - That We Might Persuade Them to Come Unto Christ I'm taking an online economics class right now, which prompted me to think of the definition of economics in the context of the scriptures. Economics is the study of the allocation of scarce resources. In the case of Nephi and his successor Jacob, the plates upon which they engraved their record was a scarce resource. They were costly to make and difficult to engrave, and instilling a tradition of passing them through generations was surely cumbersome.  Recognizing the great importance of spiritual things and the challenge of maintaining records, Nephi instructed Jacob to prioritize religious instruction saying, " if there were preaching which was sacred, or revelation which was great, or prophesying, that I should engraven the heads of them upon these plates, and touch upon them as much as it were possible, for Christ’s sake, and for the sake of our people" (Jacob 1:4).   This priority was not only reflecte...
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Alma 20 - Astonished Exceedingly



Ammon was inspired by a spiritual prompting to go to another kingdom to deliver his fellow missionaries. The new convert King Lamoni offered to accompany Ammon, and asked how Ammon knew his brethren were in prison. "And Ammon said unto him: No one hath told me, save it be God; and he said unto me--Go and deliver thy brethren, for they are in prison in the land of Middoni" (Alma 20:5). Ammon needed no external evidence or convincing beyond the prompting of the Spirit which he felt. He had faith and took action based on personal revelation. Lamoni was also quick to respond to Ammon's spiritual prompting. "Now when Lamoni had heard this he caused that his servants should make ready his horses and his chariots" (Alma 20:6). Even though Lamoni was receiving this prompting second hand through Ammon, his response was immediate. The scriptures do not give any indication Lamoni received a spiritual confirmation of his own, but because of his trust in the process of revelation and confidence in Ammon's role as a prophet, He moved quickly. 

 On the way to free Ammon's fellow missionaries, Ammon and King Lamoni were confronted by Lamoni's father, who was deeply suspicious of Ammon and angry with King Lamoni for missing a recent feast. King Lamoni's father tried to kill Ammon, and then tried to kill King Lamoni for defending Ammon. 

"And it came to pass that Lamoni rehearsed unto him whither he was going, for he feared to offend him. And he also told him all the cause of his tarrying in his own kingdom" (Alma 20: 11-12)

 Even though Lamoni "feared to offend [his father]," he was bold in recounting his experience to his father, and "told him all the cause of his tarrying in his own kingdom" (Alma 20: 11-12). This account could have included Ammon miraculously defending his sheep. It could have included Ammon's telling of all things from "the creation of the world, ... the creation of Adam, ... all the things concerning the fall of man, and ... all the records and scriptures from the time that Lehi left Jerusalem down to the present time" (Alma 18: 36, 38). It could have included falling into a spiritual coma and sincerely repenting. While we do not know the details of what Lamoni shared with his father, it is safe to say he taught the gospel and related his experience of conversion. 

 King Lamoni's father was not immediately convinced and  commanded Lamoni to kill Ammon. When King Lamoni refused, his father was furious, and tried to kill him.  Ammon defended King Lamoni and the argument became so heated that if came to blows. When Ammon overpowered King Lamoni's father, he insisted that he allow King Lamoni to retain his kingdom and autonomy, and that they be allowed to continue their journey to deliver the missionaries imprisoned in the land of Middoni. "And when [King Lamoni's father] saw that Ammon had no desire to destroy him, and when he also saw the great love he had for his son Lamoni, he was astonished exceedingly ... For the king was greatly astonished at the words which he had spoken, and also at the words which had been spoken by his son Lamoni, therefore he was desirous to learn them" (Alma 20:26-27). 

 King Lamoni was "greatly astonished" by the words of Ammon and his son. While he had to face the possibility of his own death to be humble, the King was not astonished by Ammon's strength as a fighter. Once jolted out of his hatred and fury, it was the words of truth and testimony that changed the hear of the king's father. This interaction has led me to reflect on the way I share my testimony and talk about the gospel. Am I bold and sincere in a way that other can be "greatly astonished" and be "desirous to learn them" when their moment is right. The king's father was "astonished exceedingly" by Ammon's pacifism, not his rancor, and for the love that he expressed for Lamoni. I can be most impactful or "astonishing" in the words I say if they are aligned with the tone and will of God. The truth spoken with love will always carry the day, eventually. 
Application Questions

 How can I share my testimony with boldness and love, even if I worry about offending others?

 How can I show my love for others so they trust my words and intentions?
Image Credit: n-lightenment.com

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